The artwork titled “Augury” by Adolph Gottlieb was painted in 1945. It is an oil painting associated with the Naive Art movement, specifically Primitivism, and is considered a symbolic painting. The dimensions of the painting are 101.6 x 76.1 cm, and it is housed in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum located in New York City, NY, US.
“Augury” by Gottlieb features an assemblage of various abstract and primitive icons, arranged in a grid-like composition. The painting displays a collection of symbols and shapes, reminiscent of ancient or tribal art, suggesting a language of symbolism and hidden meaning. There are eyes, faces, patterns reminiscent of textiles or ceramics, and shapes that evoke natural forms and mythical references. Each icon seems to carry its own weight and significance within the composition. The palette is predominantly earthy with shades of brown, orange, tan, with contrasts of black, white, blue, and yellow, adding a layer of vibrancy to the symbols.